Time seemed to stretch endlessly at that moment.
Zhao Shanhe's icy voice hung over every Eastern Japan soldier's neck like the Death God's scythe.
"Ten!"
The cold number rang through the public channel, reaching everyone in the Eastern Japan Fleet's command room with perfect clarity.
Cold sweat instantly broke out on the Guard Commander's forehead, dripping down bead by bead.
He could feel every subordinate staring at him, their eyes filled with fear, despair, and a trace of... pleading.
"Nine!"
The countdown continued without the slightest emotion.
"Commander! What do we do? We need to decide now!"
A young communications soldier shouted, his voice thick with tears.
"Shut up!"
The Guard Commander roared, his eyes bloodshot.
Surrender?
To him, that word was worse than death!
He came from one of Eastern Japan's most traditional Samurai Families. From childhood, he had been taught to remain loyal to the Japanese Emperor and perform Jade Shatter for the Empire!
Surrender was the act of a coward, a disgrace to his family!
After death, he would not even be allowed into his ancestral graveyard!
But what if we don't surrender?
He glanced at the radar screen. Hundreds upon hundreds of red targeting indicators crowded it, forming a vast spiderweb that trapped their dozen or so pitiful little ships at its center.
He had no doubt that the second the countdown ended, he would be torn to pieces and vaporized along with this stretch of sea!
His own death did not matter, but there were thousands of soldiers aboard these ships!
They were still young. They had families!
"Eight!"
Zhao Shanhe's voice struck his heart like a heavy hammer.
Meanwhile, in international waters a dozen kilometers from the battlefield.
Johnson, captain of the Eagle Side destroyer Liberty, held a pair of high-powered binoculars, his palms